Before a vowel the verb-stem remains unchanged or drops a final vowel; before a consonant it adds ε, ο, or ι: φέρ-ασπιςshield-bearing, μι_ς-άνθρωποςman-hating (μι_σέ-ω), ἐκ-ε-χειρία_ ( cross125 d) holding of hands, truce, λιπ-ο-στρατία_desertion of the army, νι_κ-ό-βουλοςprevailing in the Senate, ἀρχ-ι-τέκτωνmasterbuilder.